The U.S. Department of State released the March 2026 Visa Bulletin on 20 February, showing notable forward movement for China-born applicants in key employment-based categories. Under the Dates-for-Filing chart, EB-1 for China jumps four months to 1 December 2023, while EB-2 advances two months to 1 October 2016. The EB-5 unreserved category inches ahead to 1 October 2016 as well. USCIS has confirmed that it will accept adjustment-of-status filings using the Dates-for-Filing chart in March. Chinese professionals on L-1, H-1B or F-1 OPT status who are current may therefore file complete green-card packets—including medicals—gaining work-and-travel authorization (EAD/AP) within four to six months even if final action dates retrogress later. Global-mobility teams of multinationals with large Chinese talent pools in the United States should pre-screen employees quickly; medical-exam appointments and premium-processing slots can be scarce. Applicants whose priority dates are close to the new cut-offs should secure hard-copy I-140 approvals or upgrade pending petitions to premium processing to meet the filing window. For assignees outside the U.S., the bulletin signals that immigrant-visa interview queues at Guangzhou consulate may shorten in late 2026 if the trend continues, potentially allowing faster permanent transfers. However, future demand remains unpredictable; employers are advised to initiate I-485 filings as soon as March opens and to budget for possible attorney overtime.
Source: USILAW
